The Labour Department has welcomed the sentencing of two men who last year attacked an inspector while he was conducting an inspection on a printing business owned by their father.
The duo sons of a Ladysmith printing business owner, have been fined R2 000 each or three months imprisonment suspended for five years by the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court.
This follows the September 22 incident when they physically attacked and abused the official whilst he was trying to discuss areas of labour law non-compliance that were detected at the workplace.
He had suffered a cut on the face, a swollen lump on his head and cracks to the ribs, while his jacket and shirt were torn. A contravention notice was later served on the employer for the occupational health and safety violation.
A briefing session was also conducted at the workplace for both the employer and employees to raise awareness and the need for compliance regarding the basic conditions of employment.A follow-up inspection will soon be conducted at the company.
Expressing satisfaction at the sentencing of the pair, Labour Spokesperson Page Boikanyo said:, “The department welcomes this judgement which proves that no one is above the law.An inspector of the department has the power to visit any employer at any time to conduct inspections.Anyone who obstructs or hinders an inspector from performing this function, is breaking the law”.The inspector in question has since resumed work.
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